Jordan Scarlett, 3 others reinstated to Florida football team

Jordan Scarlett led Florida in rushing in 2016, but was suspended for the entire 2017 season. (AP photo)

Running back Jordan Scarlett is among four players who have been reinstated to the Florida football team after being suspended following credit card fraud charges last fall.

Scarlett, a rising senior who sat out the entire 2017 season, has enrolled in classes and will participate in team activities this spring, the school announced Tuesday. Joining him are wide receiver Rick Wells and linebackers James Houston and Ventrell Miller, all freshmen in 2017.

"All of our players understand the standards and expectations we have of them to be members of the Florida football program,'' Florida coach Dan Mullen said in a brief statement.

A fifth player -- defensive lineman Keivonnis Davis -- suffered severe injuries in a scooter accident last fall. He is enrolled in classes at Florida this spring, but his football future remains uncertain.

Four other players involved in the fraud scandal at Florida last fall will not return. Star wide receiver Antonio Callaway has elected to enter the 2018 NFL draft, while three others -- offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort and defensive lineman Richer Desir-Jones and Jordan Smith -- have announced plans to transfer (Desir-Jones is reportedly headed to a Kansas junior college; Telfort and Smith's destinations are unknown).

Scarlett, Wells, Houston and Miller could still face team suspensions during the 2018 season, according to multiple reports. According to the Gainesville Sun, all four received pre-trial intervention that would allow them to have charges dropped if they meet certain legal requirements.

According to published reports, the nine players used stolen credit card numbers to pay for purchases including everything from candy to high-end electronics. All but Smith and Telfort were offered pre-trial interventions, according to 247 Sports.

Scarlett rushed for 889 yards and six touchdowns in 2016, and was expected to be the Gators' starting running back last season. Wells was a redshirt freshman in 2017, while Houston and Miller were true freshmen.

Without Callaway and Scarlett, the Gators struggled all season offensively and finished 4-7. Head coach Jim McElwain stepped down Oct. 29, a day after a 42-7 loss to arch-rival Georgia.

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